Empty Yourself

Philippians 2:5-8  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

 

Jesus Christ emptied Himself. He didn't just give up a few things He wanted, but emptied Himself. He completely gave up the things He wanted for himself. He took the form of a servant and humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death. Jesus was the Son of God, yet He humbled Himself completely.

 

We as Christians, and as mothers, wives, sisters, children of God, are called to the same mindset. This section of scripture starts by telling us to have this same mind. We are to become servants; to our families, our fellow brethren and our fellow man.

 

I can hear you saying but what about me? What about my needs? What about what I want to do? I understand your concern. If I don't look out for my own needs, who will? Well, I think God has promised that He will! He has promised us so many things. He has promised to never leave or desert us. He has promised to fulfill every need of ours. Not every want, but every need.

 

I think you will find, if you empty yourself for the sake of Christ Jesus, God will fill you back up, with His presence and with His love.

 

I'm not saying this is easy. I think Jesus made it look so easy, but even He had some concerns. Just look at His prayers in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus put His trust in God, the Father. And we can do this, too.

 

The older I get, the more I realize that the things that are of this world, the physical things we are so worried about at times, are of no consequence when we look at what is to come. We are physical beings but we are also spiritual beings. Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

 

God calls us to be more spiritually-minded, to put aside the physical and serve Him gladly, to empty ourselves. If we quit worrying about making sure we have what we need/want, and spend our time fulfilling the needs of others, God will fill our needs. I'm continually amazed at how God takes care of me. I think you will be, too, if you just trust Him and empty yourself.

 

Definitely not easy but something to strive for. I'm praying for each of you, that you can learn to empty yourself and take on the form of a servant, as our example, Jesus Christ, did. And I'm praying that He will help me do the same.